by J. M. Page
Over the past couple of years since Celine first arrived to the walled city, she and Aris had grown remarkably close. She made the transition from Celine’s handler, to Liam’s nanny, but more than that, she was Celine’s closest confidante next to Ben himself. They spent hours together talking and laughing over the antics of the young Prince — and his goofball father.
Celine still spent quite a lot of her time as an instructor for new modders and engineers, but when she wasn’t in class, she was hanging out with Aris and Liam, or flying with Ben when they could find the time.
“Unca! Unca!” Liam cried, racing across the empty hall.
In the shadow of the doorway was Alex’s silhouette, one arm behind his back.
Liam jumped out of his toy speeder and tottered over to Alex, clinging to his shins, never even noticing that they didn’t match.
Aris slowed her pursuit after Liam got out, and sauntered over to where the two boys stood. Celine thought she could see a little smirk curling Aris’s lips.
Alex’s arm swept forward, an extravagant bouquet of flowers clutched in his fist.
“Fresh-picked from the Perimeter,” he said, offering them to Aris.
Aris’s eyes went wide looking at the flowers, but Celine saw something else there. The part of her lips, the little slump of her shoulders.
“Does this mean we can all stop pretending we don’t see what’s going on here?” Celine teased.
Aris stammered, taking the offered bouquet.
Alex took her free hand in his, his eyes shimmering with a plea. “What do you say? Can you bear the thought of being publicly attached to me?”
Aris seemed to mull it over for a moment, dipping down to inhale the floral scent and hide her growing grin.
“I think maybe I can…” she said.
Alex didn’t waste a moment before he wrapped his arm around her waist and drug her in close, pulling her into him.
“Oh!” Aris squeaked only a moment before his lips descended on hers.
Footsteps behind her made Celine turn, spotting her husband approaching. He stood at her side and arm curled around her hips. “This again?” he said, clearly amused.
“Shush,” said Celine. “It’s romantic.”
Ben pouted, his voice a low whisper. “I’m romantic! Remember that time I took you to the aurora on Felleria? Or that incredible meteor shower on Vandu?”
Celine covered his hand with hers and patted it fondly, her head resting on his shoulder. “Of course I remember.”
He squeezed her hand back, the way they always did, silent communication of love and support.
Just that moment, the little Prince spotted the newest arrival. “Papa!” Liam cried, running as best he could on his wobbly chubby legs. Ben scooped him up, wrapping him in a big bear hug, and planted a sloppy kiss on his cheek.
Liam giggled and clung to his Papa, his face shining with glee. Celine was certain her heart was actually going to melt.
“I think Mommy needs to go for a flight,” Ben whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. “What do you say, buddy?”
Celine could barely suppress the giggle that came from her son’s eyes widening to the size of moons. It wasn’t often they took him — he was still so young, but he wouldn’t always be.
“Yes!” Liam squealed.
Ben and Celine laughed together. He definitely had the flying bug, too. No getting around it.
Ben cleared his throat and looked over to Aris, still wrapped up in Alex’s arms. She’d tried to pull away when she saw Ben, but Alex held her firm, clearly not going to let her hide their affair any longer.
“Aris, you’re relieved of your Prince monitoring duties this evening. Go have fun,” he said, a teasing edge in his voice.
Before Aris could manage a response, Ben took his Queen by the hand and carried his son with him, heading toward the hangars. He turned to her, a satisfied smirk plastered on his face. “See? Romantic.”
Celine rolled her eyes, her grin growing of its own volition. She kissed him, a thrill going all the way to her toes. “The most romantic,” she agreed.
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